World Cup Day 3: Brazil unconvincing, Scotland end wait, Swiss snoozefest | OneFootball

The FIFA World Cup 2026 party continued on Saturday as Brazil faced Morocco and Scotland finally ended a 28-year wait to play at the tournament. 

We’ve recapped all the happenings from matchday three, including what you missed overnight and the biggest stories from Saturday. You can catch up with our round-up of day two here.

World Cup Day 3: Brazil unconvincing, Scotland end wait, Swiss snoozefest

Brazil rescue point following Morocco scare

Brazil were shockingly bad in the opening 20 minutes of their meeting with Morocco. They were penned into their own half, couldn’t control the ball with any confidence whatsoever, and as a result were barely able to get it into the opposition box.

Morocco were well deserving of their lead when it came in the 21st minute. Brahim Diaz split Gabriel and Marquinhos, two world-class defenders, with a sublime pass to Ismael Saibari, who chipped Alisson with a gorgeous chip.

The AFCON finalists continued to dominate the game, but then, out of nowhere, Vinicius Junior creates a moment of magic out nowhere. The Real Madrid star received the ball on the left, shifted it onto his right and unleashed a wicked shot into the far corner.

It was a turning point in the game as Brazil were far more comfortable in possession in the second half. Their shape was much better after Carlo Ancelotti introduced Fabinho at the break, bringing some much needed resolve and structure to a midfield that had hitherto been nonexistent.

Truth be told, the rest of the game was a quiet affair, which suited both sides. It allowed Brazil to settle themselves and regain some confidence after such a bad start, and both sides were able to conserve energy while coming away with a point.

Ancelotti will know that major improvements are needed if they are to compete in the latter stages, but for Morocco this was confirmation that they deserve to be considered among the dark horses. (They have what looks to be a real star-in-the-making in Ayyoub Bouaddi, too.) Based on that performance, you wouldn’t be surprised if they take a scalp or two in the knockouts, as they did in 2022.

Read – Alisson reveals he sat out Liverpool games to prepare for World Cup

Scotland end wait for World Cup win

Scotland could hardly have been handed a more plum tie for their World Cup return, though the Tartan Army made hard work of Haiti.

After a spine-tingling rendition of Flower of Scotland, Steve Clarke’s side secured three precious points courtesy of John McGinn’s goal.

The Aston Villa man’s scruffy strike perhaps symbolised the game as a whole, but it’s enough to take Scotland top of the group after Brazil and Morocco ended all square.

A first World Cup win in 36 years for Scotland, and didn’t the streets of Boston know about it.

Read – How to watch World Cup highlights this summer

Aussie Beach helps Socceroos stun Turkey

Australians might just have a new favourite beach, following a sensational performance from goalkeeper Patrick Beach in Vancouver. The Melbourne City shot-stopper made eight saves during a fine performance as the Socceroos stunned a talented Turkey team.

The electric Nestory Irankunda fired Australia in front on the counter, before the Socceroos weathered a storm. Turkey had 72% of the ball and 30 shots on goal, but were undone a second time when Conor Metcalfe drilled in a low effort from distance.

Turkey, talked up as potential dark horses before a ball had been kicked, were floored in their opener.

Read – The youngest players to ever feature at a World Cup

Switzerland bottle it as Qatar snatch point

If you missed the 1-1 draw between Switzerland and Qatar, lucky you. It was 90-plus minutes of some of the most boring football in the history of the World Cup.

The Qataris were, as expected, not up to very much. Julen Lopetegui has his players playing out from the back, but they were incapable of moving the ball upfield and it often led to the Swiss getting chances in and around the box.

And yet, Switzerland somehow failed to put them away. They took the lead in the first half when Breel Embolo converted a penalty, but they never found the insurance goal, despite taking 26 shots and having 42 touches in the box.

Murat Yakin’s side also had five big chances (not including the penalty) and generated 3.24xG, but they were made to pay for their extreme profligacy in stoppage time. Homam Elamin was allowed all the time in the world on the left to send in a cross to the back post, where Boualem Khoukhi rose above Miro Muheim to level matters with a powerful header.

It was the third-latest equaliser in group stage history, earning Qatar their first ever point at the World Cup. It’s also a huge result for the other two teams in Group B, Canada and Bosnia & Herzegovina, who will fancy their chances of beating Qatar.

Stolen England gear returned

Crisis averted for the Three Lions as most of the items that were stolen from a team van has been recovered.

The vehicle containing equipment for the squad was broken into and raided ahead of the squad’s arrival in Kansas City.

The incident, which is being investigated by local police, happened while Thomas Tuchel’s team were en route to the Swope Soccer Village in Missouri from their pre-tournament base in Florida. They were due to arrive on Saturday.

Police confirmed two individuals are in custody as they conduct their investigation.

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See Also – The best football kits we’ll see at FIFA World Cup 2026

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